October 12, 2010 > Constitution Day honors the life and legacy of Fred Korematsu

Constitution Day honors the life and legacy of Fred Korematsu

Submitted By Claudia Medina

Photo by Unique Holland

The Alameda County Office of Education hosted the 2010 Alameda County Constitution Day event on September 24 to honor the life and legacy of Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights pioneer.

Panelists shared stories about their personal connections to Mr. Korematsu, and explored the many related struggles of "ordinary" citizens throughout American history to protect their Constitutional rights when they are threatened in times of crisis. They also described current issues reflecting that struggle, culminating in a debate around the potential location of the Park 51 Islamic Cultural Center (erroneously named the "Ground Zero Mosque") in New York City.

As the program ensued, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law the establishment of the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. We congratulate the Korematsu Institute on their success in creating this important annual reminder of Mr. Korematsu and his enduring legacy!